VR Class Dr12 (original designation Hr12) was a heavy diesel-electric locomotive of Valtionrautatiet (VR, Finnish State Railways). A total of 42 locomotives were ordered from two manufacturers, Valmet and Lokomo, between 1956 and 1961.[1] The locomotives were withdrawn in the early 1990s.[2]
History
Order
VR ordered the first six then-Hr12 locomotives in 1956, and they entered into service three years later. In 1959, the director of VR at the time,, wanted to cancel the order, claiming that the locomotives were outdated and more expensive but less efficient compared to other options. In the end, VR ended up ordering 36 additional Dr12 locomotives, as well as a total of 54 class Dr13 locomotives that were based on an Alstom